Did the civil rights movement (which started in the 1940s and progressed through the 1970s) and the conflicts involved alter American values and represent a permanent shift in American society? Please explain how it did or did not, and include at least two pieces of evidence or events for either argument.

The American civil rights movement of the fifties and sixties did bring about fundamental changes in American society. It was the most important event in civil rights since Reconstruction (1865–1877). Its most important leader was Martin Luther King, Jr. Did the movement put an end to racism? No, it did not—sadly, racism still exists. But during this period, obvious manifestations of mistreatment—such as segregated public facilities—were largely abolished.
The "separate but equal" doctrine (Plessy v. Ferguson 1896) had been used to discriminate against black people for over half a century. That infamous Supreme Court ruling permitted separate facilities for African Americans as long as they were equal to those provided to white people. However, they were never truly equal. In 1954, the Supreme Court overturned Plessy.
Unfortunately, black people have not attained equality in most areas. African Americans still lag behind in income and education. Statistically, African Americans—especially young black men—are more likely to be incarcerated than their counterparts.
Some had hoped that the election of the first black president, Barack Obama, would usher in a new era of racial harmony and equality. Unfortunately, it has not. and much remains to be done.